All Saints' Day

I love this holy day! It's the day I am reminded of the communion of saints in heaven and pray that I will be among them one day. (The Catholic hymns for this day are awesome, too!) You know, there is a misconception in our culture that we will never be perfect so why bother to try? That kind of thinking doesn't recognize that we will HAVE to be perfect if we will be in heaven one day. After all, we are taught that there can be no imperfection in heaven. God calls us to holiness, to perfection, and we must work our entire lives to become holy. I understand how we think the way we do. Sometimes, I think I'm really doing well on the holiness meter but then I do something I know I shouldn't (like overeat chocolate...) which shows me I have a long, long way to go...

Someone reminded me the other day that God calls us, not to happiness in this life, but to holiness. In that context, our suffering can mean something. We can offer it up for the good of our souls and for others'. We can embrace it as being an opportunity to grow closer to Our dear Lord, who suffered excruciatingly for us. We can humbly accept that we are not perfect YET but, with the grace of God, we can get there one day. That's how we counselors at the center try to approach our clients: where they're at, knowing that we, ourselves, have done (and continue to do...) terrible things that helped nail Jesus to the cross, too. We see many who don't understand that illicit sex, contraception and abortion are morally wrong. Should we judge them for this? I don't think so but we CAN show them a better way. We can show them that Jesus loves each one of us more than we can fathom, and, by listening to their voice within, they, too, will find the source of deep longing to be with God at all times.

Now then, for me, today, the question is WHAT will I do with all the left over Halloween candy??? Maybe that's been the REAL reason why I've loved this holy day so much (especially when I had 4 little ones with bags full of candy they'd gotten in their rounds through our neighborhood!). This year, I think I'd better take it to the center to give to the clients and their children!

Happy All Saints' Day!